The head of Italian car group Sergio Marchionne could become the new head of struggling US giant Chrysler under a tie-up between the companies, an industry magazine reported on Tuesday.

The head of Italian car group Sergio Marchionne could become the new head of struggling US giant Chrysler under a tie-up between the companies, an industry magazine reported on Tuesday.

Automotive News, citing sources close to the discussions, reported on its website that Chrysler could change its management structure after the completion of its alliance with Fiat.

The magazine said the new management structure would divide the roles of chief executive officer and chairman between two executives. The chairman post would be held by an American, the source said.

Fiat declined to comment on the report when contacted by AFP, while Chrysler told the magazine that it had no management changes to announce. Under a preliminary accord signed between the two car groups in January, Fiat is to initially take a 35-percent stake in Chrysler which could rise to as much as 55 percent.

Marchionne is credited with having turned around formerly loss-making Fiat.